Compare the characteristics of skeletal and smooth muscle cell contractions.
Solutions
VerifiedAll skeletal muscles contract through a series of electrochemical signals that originate in the brain. When describing the skeletal muscle fiber structure at its basic level, it consists of smaller fiber units, called myofibrils. Within the myofibrils, special types of contractile proteins are present. These contractile proteins are actin and myosin. The contraction of skeletal muscle is based on the sliding filament theory.
Skeletal muscles contract voluntarily - after the stimulus reaches the skeletal muscle, calcium is released from the sarcoplasmic reticulum and binds to troponin. Conformational changes occur and free active sides of thin filaments, which will then bind to myosin filaments. This process happens fast and results in an almost immediate contraction as a response to the neural stimulus.
Characteristics of the contraction of the striated muscles can be observed by observing the individual and complex muscular contractions. The transverse joint muscle does not react immediately after receiving irritation or irritation. It is necessary to be certain that the muscle begins to contract (latent period). When the impulses of intensity and frequency reach a certain level (threshold), perform contractions, and then the relaxation period (relaxation). Coordination of muscular movements and their alignment is achieved through the nervous system.
Smooth muscle contraction is slower: in relation to the transverse muscular muscles, the latent period is longer. Smooth muscles are also relaxing more slowly. The particularity of these muscles is a long retention in a contracted condition, which is designated as a plastic tonus of smooth muscles. In the state of plastic tonus, smooth muscles do not consume significant amounts of energy, which is crucial for performing the functions of the associated musculature.
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